Press Freedom Index (RSF): Togo ranks 70th worldwide and 14th in Africa

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Thursday, 04 May 2023 13:38

Press Freedom Index (RSF): Togo ranks 70th worldwide and 14th in Africa

(Togo First) - Togo ranked 70th out of 180 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index, released on May 3. The West African nation which ranked 100th last year is now 14th in Africa, with a score of 63.06 points, up by 5.89 points compared to 2022.

"Freedom of the press is recognized and guaranteed by the State" in Togo, says RSF, noting that the Press Code no longer provides for custodial sentences since 2004. However, the observer stressed that the country's press industry is still dominated by the political context, and faces significant financial hurdles. Togo, the report indicates, has a diverse media landscape, with 234 titles, 94 radios, and a dozen television channels.

According to RSF’s Secretary-General, Christophe Deloire, the World Press Freedom Index demonstrates strong volatility in Africa and the rest of the world. For instance, while Senegal and Tunisia lost respectively 31 and 27 places, Brazil won 18.

"This volatility is the result of increased aggression by those in power in many countries and growing hostility towards journalists on social media and in the physical world. Volatility is also the product of the growth of the simulacrum industry, which shapes and distributes fake news and provides tools to create them," RSF reports.

Worldwide, Norway remains the country where journalists enjoy the most freedom. This is the seventh consecutive year it holds the spot. It is followed by Ireland and Denmark. Meanwhile, Holland rose 22 places and regained its 2021 ranking. At the bottom of the ranking are Vietnam (178th), China (179th), and North Korea (180th).

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.